News

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a drawing and watercolor workshop this June 5-8th, 2017 in beautiful Medora, North Dakota! My twin sister, Beverly, and I are traveling to the western side of the state to guide you in an unforgettable week of drawing, painting, and socializing in the quaint western town in the North Dakota Badlands located near the entrance to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This is the first time we have had this opportunity to offer such a workshop. The workshop will be taught indoors at the new Bill and Jane Marcil Life Skills Center; however, there will be many opportunities for you to explore wildlife, plants, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets and take your own photographs of bison, wild horses, deer, buttes, birds, and rock formations. A variety of workshop packages are available, but I urge you to purchase the workshop, lodging, and musical package as the Medora Foundation has made the prices irresistible when you choose this option. You’ll want to check out Bully Pulpit Golf Course if you are a golfer. I have played this course and it is spectacular! Please consider a vacation for yourself to include your family and friends. If you come as a single, you will meet new friends as each night has social outings for our workshop group. This is an ideal workshop for all levels of learners as I walk you through the essentials of drawing and watercolor painting using Medora’s unique beauty as a source of subject matter. For more information on the workshop, contact Beverly Benda at 701-610-9529. To register for a Stay and Paint package, please call 1-800-MEDORA-1. This workshop is limited to 21 participants so I urge you to consider registering as soon as possible to secure a spot. Thank you!

These are small paintings done after shoulder surgery. Recovering from surgery teaches me to be patient and try new subjects and practice old subjects-whatever suits my fancy. I can’t paint large, yet, so I paint many “Little Originals”.Bloom where you are planted. Paint when you can, however you can. I painted left-handed one day and found I laughed more when I do that. Yes, bloom where you are planted-and feed the desire within.  Have fun, my friends…I am heading back to the studio to bloom a little more.
  

As an artist, I often get fascinated with something and stay stuck on the subject. Some may call it “working in series”, but my reality is that I can’t easily shake something that fascinates me.  I can use the same photo reference for 20 different paintings done in different ways…Some may think I’m painting with one eye on the market, but that is not true. It’s about my need to explore and understand this animal and why I’m so attracted to its form. Daily painting of any subject matter means growth…after awhile the memory of painting something adds to the mental library of pictures and the pieces flow, one painting at a time. Sometimes they are little 5″x 7″ studies. Not all of them work. I learn more from mistakes than successes. Maybe you aren’t painting daily and are “blocked” for some reason- perhaps, “Because the holidays are coming up”, or “I just don’t have time with my job and family”.  It only takes minutes a day to improve. If you don’t have time for 20 minutes, try 10. I have always said those who practice simply get better sooner than those who don’t practice. It isn’t rocket science. Get out the pencils or paints, and do your 10-20 minutes of  practice on a subject that appeals to you. Daily practice will pay off for you as you grow into the artist you were meant to be. It will happen sooner or later. Why not sooner?